System for advanced protection of consumable or detachable elements

ABSTRACT

A method of authenticating a consumable or detachable element of a continuous inkjet printer comprising: the controller of the printer generating a 1st item of random information that is dispatched to an authentication circuit of the element; encrypting the 1st item of information by the authentication circuit using a 1st encryption algorithm and a 1st secret key to form a 1st item of encrypted random information; dispatching the 1st item of information to the controller; encrypting the 1st item of information by the controller using a 2nd encryption algorithm and a 2nd secret key to form a 2nd item of encrypted random information; comparing the 1st item of encrypted random information with the 2nd encrypted item of random information to authenticate the consumable element; and if the consumable element is authenticated, dispatching at least one part of a 3rd key, termed the shared key, by the element to the printer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 16/038,552filed Jul. 18, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/549,195 filed Aug. 7, 2017, which is the national stage of PCTinternational application PCT/EP2016/052637, filed on Feb. 8, 2016, andFrench Application No. 15 50958 filed Feb. 6, 2015. The content of eachof these applications is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to the field of continuous inkjet printers (CIJ).

The invention also relates to a device and a method for securing the useof such a printer and/or the use of spare parts or consumables, forexample ink or solvent cartridges, used in such a printer.

Continuous inkjet printers (CIJ) are well known in the field ofindustrial coding and marking of diverse products, for example formarking bar codes, expiry dates on food products, and reference marks ordistance marks on cables or pipes, directly on the production line andat high cadence. This type of printer is also found in certain fields ofdecoration where the graphic printing possibilities of the technologyare exploited.

These printers have several typical subassemblies as shown in FIG. 1.

Firstly, a printing head 1, generally remote from the printer body 3, isconnected to same by a flexible umbilical cord 2 containing thehydraulic and electrical connections required for operation of the head,giving it a flexibility which facilitates inclusion of the head on theproduction line.

The printer body 3 (also called a console or cabinet) usually containsthree subassemblies:

-   -   an ink circuit in the lower part of the console (zone 4′), which        both supplies the ink to the head, at a stable pressure and with        an adequate quality, as well as handling the ink of the jets        that is not used for printing;    -   a controller situated in the upper part of the console (zone        5′), capable of managing the sequences of actions, and of        carrying out processes for activation of the various functions        of the ink circuit and the head. The controller 5 may include,        for example, a microcomputer or a microprocessor and/or one (or        more) electronic cards and/or at least one installed software,        the programming of which controls the ink circuit 4 and the        printing head 1. This controller can transmit printing        instructions to the head and also controls the motors and valves        of the system in order to manage the supply of the ink and/or        solvent circuit, as well as the recovery of the mixture of ink        and air from the head. Therefore, it is programmed for this        purpose,    -   an interface 6 which gives the operator the means for using the        printer and being informed of its operation.

In other words, the cabinet comprises 2 subassemblies: in the upperpart, the electronics, electrical supply and operator interface, and inthe lower part an ink circuit supplying ink, of nominal quality, underpressure to the head and providing the negative pressure for recovery ofthe ink that is not used by the head.

FIG. 2 schematically represents a printing head 1 of a CIJ printer. Itcomprises a drop generator 60 supplied with electrically conductive ink,pressurised by the ink circuit.

This generator is capable of issuing at least one continuous jet througha small dimensional opening, called the nozzle. The jet is transformedinto a regular succession of identically sized drops under the action ofa periodic stimulation system (not illustrated) located upstream of theoutlet of the nozzle. When the drops 7 are not intended for printing,they are directed towards a gutter 62 which collects them in order torecycle the unused ink and return them to the ink circuit.

Devices 61 placed along the jet (charge and deflection electrodes) areable, on command, to electrically charge the drops and deflect them inan electric field Ed. The drops are therefore deflected from theirnatural trajectory on ejection from the drop generator. The drops 9intended for printing escape from the gutter and are deposited on themedium to be printed 8.

This description can also apply to so-called “binary” or“multi-deflection” continuous jet printers (CIJ). Binary CIJ printersare equipped with a head, the drop generator of which possesses amultitude of jets, each drop of a jet can only be orientated in twotrajectories: printing or recovery. In multi-deflection continuous jetprinters, each drop of a single jet (or of several jets spaced apart)can be deflected over various trajectories corresponding to thedifferent charge commands from one drop to another, thus producing asweeping in one direction of the zone to be printed, which is thedeflection direction, the other sweeping direction of the zone to beprinted being covered by the relative movement of the printing head andthe medium to be printed 8. The elements are generally arranged suchthat these two directions are substantially perpendicular.

An ink circuit of a continuous inkjet printer is used both to supplyink, at a regulated pressure, and possibly solvent, to the dropgenerator of the head 1, and also to create a negative pressure in orderto recover the fluids that are not used in the printing and which thenreturn from the head.

It also allows manages the consumables (distribution of ink and solventfrom a reserve) and control and maintenance of ink quality(viscosity/concentration).

Finally, other functions are linked to user comfort and automaticcontrol of certain maintenance operations in order to ensure constantoperation whatever the conditions of use. These functions includerinsing the head with solvent (drop generator, nozzle, gutter),assistance with preventive maintenance, for example replacement ofcomponents with limited service life, in particular filters, and/orpumps.

The various functions have very different purposes and technicalrequirements. They are activated and sequenced by the printer controllerwhich will be more complex the higher the number functions and thegreater their sophistication.

The consumables are essentially in the form of cartridges or bottlescontaining ink or solvent suitable for the operation of the machine.

There are various means for identifying such a cartridge or bottle.

Solutions are known based on identification means, as described forexample in U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,903, but they are not able to avoidcloning or emulation of the implemented tag, in particular in the caseof applications that are not connected to the network.

Another solution is known from WO 97/28001.

However, these solutions do not resolve the problem of guaranteeing theauthentic nature of the installed consumable in order to guarantee thebehaviour of the printer and the printing performance (quality,resistance, etc.).

This problem can be extended to authentication of spare parts and moregenerally to detachable elements of the printers or even to the softwarethat the printer can use and/or to the operating modes that the printercan implement.

Another problem is that of being able to configure an inkjet printer indiverse ways, without modifying the printer itself. Variousconfigurations, with different modes of use, may be made necessary bydifferent technical needs.

These problems arise in a context where the printers are not generallyconnected to a communication network.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates, in particular, to an authentication system basedon a secret key (or authentication key).

The invention relates firstly to a method of authenticating a firstconsumable or detachable element of a continuous inkjet printer, (CIJ),comprising a first authentication method (or first authentication):

-   -   generation, by the controller (or control circuit or device;        below the term “controller” is used most often) of the printer        of a 1^(st) item of random information, and dispatch thereof to        an authentication circuit of the 1^(st) consumable element, said        circuit being for example applied to the element,    -   the encryption of the 1^(st) item of random information by the        authentication circuit of the 1^(st) consumable element, using a        1^(st) encryption algorithm and a 1^(st) secret key, thereby        forming a 1^(st) item of encrypted random information, and the        dispatch of said item of encrypted random information to the        controller of the printer;    -   the encryption of the 1^(st) item of random information by the        controller of the printer, using a 2^(nd) encryption algorithm,        and a 2^(nd) secret key, thereby forming a 2^(nd) item of        encrypted random information;    -   and the comparison, preferably by the controller of the printer,        of the 1^(st) encrypted item of random information with the        2^(nd) encrypted item of random information, in order to        authenticate, or not, the 1^(st) consumable element.

If the comparison is satisfactory, the two algorithms and the two keyscorrespond, they are for example identical (the two algorithms areidentical and the two keys also), and the consumable or detachableelement is authenticated and can be used. If not, its use is renderedimpossible by the controller (no data can be exchanged between theconsumable element and the controller).

If the 1^(st) consumable element is authenticated, a 3^(rd) key, termedthe shared key, or at least a part of a 3^(rd) key, termed the sharedkey, can be dispatched by the 1^(st) consumable or detachable element tothe continuous inkjet printer.

In this embodiment or in the following, which concerns a control methodor device for a consumable element, when only a part of the shared keyis dispatched to the printer or to a control device or to theconsumable, another part of said key is already contained in the printerin the control device or in the consumable, the 2 parts forming theshared key.

The printer, or the controller thereof, then preferably contains a3^(rd) encryption algorithm, and optionally a part of the shared key;the 3^(rd) algorithm can implement said shared key, once all or partthereof is received.

According to a particular embodiment, this method can further comprise a2^(nd) authentication:

-   -   generation, by the authentication circuit of the 1^(st)        consumable or detachable element, of a 2^(nd) item of random        information, and dispatch thereof to the printer controller;    -   encryption of the 2^(nd) item of random information by the        controller of the printer using a 2^(nd) encryption algorithm        and a 2^(nd) secret key, thereby forming a 3^(rd) item of        encrypted random information, and dispatch thereof to the        authentication circuit of the 1^(st) consumable element;    -   encryption of this 2^(nd) item of random information by the        authentication circuit of the 1^(st) consumable element, using        the a 1^(st) encryption algorithm and the 1^(st) secret key,        thereby forming a 4^(th) item of encrypted random information;    -   comparison, preferably by the authentication circuit of the        1^(st) consumable or detachable element, of the 3^(rd) item of        encrypted random information and the 4^(th) item of encrypted        random information.

Here again, if the comparison is satisfactory, the consumable ordetachable element or the printer is authenticated and can be used. Ifnot, the consumable or detachable element, not recognising thecontroller or the printer, can refuse communication with the controlleror printer, and therefore any subsequent exchange of data.

In other words, the comparison, on the one hand, of a part of the 1^(st)item of encrypted random information with the 2^(nd) item of encryptedrandom information and, on the other hand, of the 3^(rd) item ofencrypted random information with the 4^(th) item of encrypted randominformation, enables authentication of the 1^(st) consumable element bythe printer and of the printer by the 1^(st) consumable element.

The 2^(nd) authentication (or 2^(nd) authentication process) can takeplace before the 1^(st) authentication process already described above,or afterwards, or at the same time.

More generally, the invention relates to a method for authenticating a1^(st) consumable or detachable element of a continuous inkjet printer(CIJ), comprising, in the following order or in an inverse order (orsimultaneously):

-   -   a step of authentication of a consumable element by the printer        (1^(st) authentication process);    -   a step of authentication of the printer by the consumable        element (2^(nd) authentication process).

Hence, the invention also relates to a method for authenticating a1^(st) consumable or detachable element and a continuous inkjet printer(CIJ) and exchange of data between these, comprising, in the followingorder or in an inverse order or simultaneously, a first authenticationand a second authentication:

A) the first authentication comprising:

a)—generation, by the controller of the printer, of a 1^(st) item ofrandom information and the dispatch thereof to an authentication circuitof the 1^(st) consumable element;

b)—encryption of the 1^(st) item of random information by theauthentication circuit of the 1^(st) consumable element, a 1^(st)encryption algorithm and a 1^(st) secret key, thereby forming a 1^(st)item of encrypted random information, and the dispatch of said item ofinformation to the controller of the printer;

c)—encryption of the 1^(st) item of random information by the controllerof the printer and by a 2^(nd) encryption algorithm, and a 2^(nd) secretkey, thereby forming a 2^(nd) item of encrypted random information;

d)—comparison of at least the 1^(st) item of encrypted randominformation with the 2^(nd) item of encrypted random information;

e) an authentication step, as a function of the result of the comparisonof step d);

B) the second authentication comprising:

f)—generation, by the authentication circuit of the 1^(st) consumableelement, of a 2^(nd) item of random information, and dispatch thereof tothe controller of the printer;

g)—encryption of the 2^(nd) item of random information, by thecontroller of the printer, using the 2^(nd) encryption algorithm and the2^(nd) secret key, thereby forming a 3^(rd) item of encrypted randominformation, and dispatch thereof to the authentication circuit of the1^(st) consumable element;

h)—the encryption of this 2^(nd) item of random information by theauthentication circuit of the 1^(st) consumable element, using the a1^(st) encryption algorithm and the 1^(st) secret key, thereby forming a4^(th) item of encrypted random information;

i)—comparison of at least the 3^(rd) item of encrypted randominformation with the 4^(th) item of encrypted random information;

j) an authentication step, as a function of the result of the comparisonof step i);

k) the controller of the printer containing a 3^(rd) encryptionalgorithm and a 3^(rd) key, termed the shared key, the consumable ordetachable element, after the first authentication and the secondauthentication, dispatching to the continuous inkjet printer, orreceiving from same, at least one item of encrypted data using said3^(rd) encryption algorithm and said shared key.

Whatever the embodiment, after authentication (for example by comparisonof the 1^(st) item of encrypted random information with the 2^(nd) itemof encrypted random information and optionally of the 3^(rd) item ofencrypted random information with the 4^(th) item of encrypted randominformation), or after the two authentication steps, the method can thencomprise:

a)—dispatch of at least a part of a 3^(rd) key, termed the shared key,by the 1^(st) consumable or detachable element to the continuous inkjetprinter or vice versa; the printer comprises a 3^(rd) encryptionalgorithm which will make it possible, using this 3^(rd) shared key, todecipher the data sent from the consumable to the printer;

b)—and/or dispatch, by the consumable element, or respectively by thecontinuous inkjet printer, to the continuous inkjet printer, orrespectively to the consumable element, of at least one item ofencrypted data, the printer, or respectively the consumable element,optionally comprising a 3^(rd) encryption algorithm and a shared key(said shared key can have been dispatched, at least in part, by theconsumable, according to preceding step a)), which enables decipheringof said item of data.

The invention also relates to a method of authenticating a consumable ordetachable element of a continuous inkjet printer, (CIA comprising:

-   -   dispatch to the control of the printer, by the authentication        circuit of the consumable or detachable element, of a password;    -   and comparison, by the controller, of said password with a        password which it contains (and which is for example recorded in        the memory means of the controller).

If the comparison is satisfactory, the use of the consumable, and/or ofa software element, can be authorised.

The invention also relates to a method for exchanging data between aconsumable or detachable element of a continuous inkjet printer (CIA andsaid continuous inkjet printer (CIJ), wherein:

-   -   an authentication process of said consumable or detachable        element is carried out for said continuous inkjet printer,        according to one of the embodiments of the invention;    -   and, after comparison of the 1^(st) item of encrypted random        information with the 2^(nd) item of encrypted random information        and, optionally, comparison of the 3^(rd) item of encrypted        random information with the 4^(th) item of encrypted random        information, all or part of a 3^(rd) key, termed the shared key,        is dispatched by the consumable or detachable element to the        continuous inkjet printer.

The shared key can then be used to decode, using a 3^(rd) encryptionalgorithm contained in the printer, all or part of one or more items ofdata or information coming from the consumable or detachable element.This 3^(rd) encryption algorithm may be different from the 1^(st) and2^(nd) encryption algorithms already described above. To reinforcesecurity, the method implements the secret key or keys, which, throughthe authentication, only authorise the subsequent exchange of databetween the consumable or detachable element and the machine.

Once the shared key is available in the printer (or in the circuitthereof) [for example after dispatch, according to one of the aboveembodiments which provides a shared key, or at least a part of same, bythe consumable or detachable element to the continuous inkjet printer]at least one item of data, encrypted for example by the 3^(rd)encryption algorithm, can be dispatched from the consumable ordetachable element to the continuous inkjet printer or vice versa; oragain this encrypted data can be read by the controller.

More simply, in the case of an authentication by password, afterexchange and control of the password, at least one item of data,optionally encrypted, for example by an encryption algorithm, can bedispatched from the consumable or detachable element to the continuousinkjet printer or vice versa. Here, as in the other embodiments of amethod (of authentication and/or data exchange) according to theinvention or of a device (or of a controller or of a data medium)according to the invention or of a consumable or detachable elementaccording to the invention, this item of data can be one of thosementioned below (for example concerning at least one consumable or atleast one spare part that the printer can use, and/or concerning atleast one list of software that the printer can use, and/or concerningat least one method of use that that the printer can implement, etc.).In the case of an item of encrypted data, the controller also has meansfor deciphering the data. After performing an authentication processaccording to the invention, the consumable or detachable element candispatch to the continuous inkjet printer, or receive from same, atleast one item of encrypted data using an encryption algorithm, and theshared key.

The invention also relates to a method of data exchange between aconsumable or detachable element of a continuous inkjet printer, andthis continuous inkjet printer, without prior authentication procedure,but by using a consumable, or detachable, element, of the type alreadydescribed above (or below in this application), this may comprise themeans for implementing a 1^(st) encryption algorithm, and a 1^(st)secret key, enabling a mutual authentication, as well as a 2^(nd)encryption algorithm and a key, termed the shared key, the continuousinkjet printer, comprising means for also implementing the 2^(nd)encryption algorithm, and the shared key, method wherein:

-   -   at least one item of data is transferred between the consumable        or detachable element and the continuous inkjet printer, for        example dispatched by the consumable or detachable element to        the printer, or read by the printer;    -   the continuous inkjet printer deciphers the one or more items of        data thus received.

In other words, it is possible to use a consumable or detachable elementaccording to the invention, in particular to the type already describedabove or which will be described below, with a printer having acontroller that cannot implement an authentication method of the typealready described above, or with a printer having a controller that canimplement an authentication method of the type already described above.

The shared key used by, or which implements, the encryption algorithm,can vary over time and/or have a limited period of validity.

According to an embodiment of one of the methods according to theinvention, the 1^(st) secret key and/or, respectively, the 2^(nd) secretkey, is, or has been, modified using an algorithm implementing an itemof digital data available in, or associated with, respectively theconsumable or detachable element or the continuous inkjet printer.

The shared key can be, or can have been, modified using an algorithmimplementing an item of digital data available in, or associated with,the consumable or detachable element or the continuous inkjet printer.

A method according to the invention can further comprise the exchange,between the controller and the 1^(st) consumable or detachable element,and/or the reader, for example, or in particular, by the controller ofthe printer, and/or by the 1^(st) consumable or detachable element, ofat least one item of data (which can be exchanged as encrypted data,according to that which has been disclosed above, after authenticationof the 1^(st) consumable or detachable element):

-   -   regarding at least one 2^(nd) or one other consumable, different        from the 1^(st) consumable, and/or at least one spare part that        the printer can use, then, optionally, the comparison, with said        at least one item of exchanged or read data, of at least one        identification data of a 2^(nd), or one other, consumable,        different from the 1^(st) consumable, and/or of one spare part,        for example, in a particular case, of that provided by the        identification and/or authorisation circuit, or not, by the        controller of the printer, of the use of this consumable or this        spare part;    -   and/or regarding at least one list of software that the printer        can use, then, optionally, the comparison, with said at least        one item of exchanged or read data, of at least one item of        identification data of a software with this list, and/or the        authorisation, or not, by the controller of the printer, of the        use of this software; in this case, the element (for example a        software) that can authorise it, or not, is different from the        consumable which bears the identification circuit;    -   and/or regarding at least one method of use that the printer can        implement, and, optionally, the adaptation of the operating mode        of the printer.

A device (controller, or control device of a printer, or data medium)according to the invention, as described below, enables one or moreitems of data of this type to be stored.

At least one part of the 2^(nd) secret key and/or of the optional sharedkey and/or data exchanged or to be exchanged can be stored on a card, oron a data medium, physically separated from the printer and from the1^(st) consumable or detachable element, and which exchanges, forexample by RFID or by contact, data with the printer using communicationmeans, provided both on the card or the data medium, as well as in theprinter.

Generally, data can be exchanged between the printer and a circuit ofthe consumable or detachable element. The data can be exchanged by RFIDor by contact. Said card, or said data support, can therefore transmitto the printer at least one part of the 2^(nd) secret key and/or of theoptional shared key and/or of the data.

The 1^(st) consumable or detachable element, and/or any other consumableor detachable element, can be an ink or solvent cartridge or a filter,or a pump, or a solenoid valve, or removable element, for example of theink circuit of the printer or of the printing head, or even a card or adata medium.

In a particular embodiment, the 1^(st) consumable or detachable elementis a data medium, at least one other consumable or detachable element,different from the 1^(st), or at least one spare part being an ink orsolvent cartridge or a filter, or a pump, or a solenoid valve, or aremovable module, for example of the ink circuit of the printer or of aprinting head of the printer, or a software or a function of theprinting machine.

In this case, there is:

-   -   authentication, by the controller of the printer, of the data        medium;    -   exchange, between the data medium and the controller, or reader,        by the controller, in the medium, of at least one item of data        relating to the use of at least one other consumable or        detachable element, different from the data medium, or a spare        part (for example of the type already described above) and/or of        at least one software that the printer can use and/or at least        one method of use that the printer can implement;    -   optionally, authentication, by said controller of the printer,        of a consumable or detachable element, different from the data        medium, or of a spare part;    -   then optionally:    -   a comparison by said controller, of at least one item of        identification data, respectively of a consumable or of a spare        part and/or of a software, with said at least one read or        exchanged item of data, and/or authorisation, or not, by the        controller, of the use of this consumable or this spare part        and/or this software;    -   and/or a comparison, by said controller, of at least one method        of use that the printer can implement, with said at least one        item of read or exchanged data, relating respectively to at        least one method of use (or of one item of data which is        related) that the printer can implement and, optionally, the        adaptation of the mode of operation of the printer (for example,        as a function of the result of the comparison, by utilisation,        or not, of said method of use).

The invention also relates to a controller or a control device, of aninkjet printer, or a data medium for controlling a continuous inkjetprinter (CIA implementing a method such as that described above. Such acontroller or device, or data medium, comprises means for at least:

-   -   generating a 1^(st) item of random information, and despatching        same, for example to an authentication circuit of a 1^(st)        consumable element;    -   encrypting this 1^(st) item of random information, using a        2^(nd) encryption algorithm and a 2^(nd) secret key, thereby        forming a 2^(nd) item of encrypted random information;    -   receiving a 1^(st) item of encrypted random information, for        example from a 1^(st) consumable element (this 1^(st) item of        encrypted random information can have been obtained by        encrypting the 1^(st) item of random information using a 1^(st)        encryption algorithm and a 1^(st) secret key);    -   comparing said received 1^(st) item of encrypted random        information and the 2^(nd) item of encrypted random information.

The controller can then authenticate, or not, the 1^(st) consumableelement, as a function of the comparison thus performed.

The invention also relates to a controller, or a device, or a datamedium, for controlling a continuous inkjet printer, in order toauthenticate a consumable or detachable element of a continuous inkjetprinter (CIJ) comprising:

-   -   means for generating an item of random information, and means        for despatching same to an external circuit, for example an        authentication circuit of the element;    -   means for encrypting this item of random information, using a        1^(st) encryption algorithm, and using a 1^(st) secret key,        thereby forming an item of encrypted random information;    -   means for comparing this item of encrypted random information        with another item of encrypted random information received from        an external circuit, for example from a consumable or detachable        element.

Optionally, said means can allow granting of the authorisation for use,or not, of a consumable or detachable element and/or the authentication,or not, of the consumable as a function of the result of the comparison.In the absence of authentication, no data can be exchanged between theconsumable element and the controller.

The controller or the device, or the data medium, can comprise means forreceiving at least a part of a key, termed the shared key, dispatched bya circuit, for example by said consumable or detachable element.

The controller or the device, or the data medium, can comprise means forstoring said 2^(nd) key, termed the shared key, and a 2^(nd) algorithm,termed the deciphering algorithm, which will implement said shared keywhen this has been completely or partially received.

The controller or the device, or the data medium, can further comprise:

-   -   means for receiving a 2^(nd) item of random information, for        example from said consumable or detachable element;    -   means for encrypting this 2^(nd) item of random information,        using said 1^(st) encryption algorithm, and using said 1^(st)        secret key, thereby forming a 3^(rd) item of encrypted random        information;    -   means for despatching said 3^(rd) item of encrypted random        information to a circuit, for example to the consumable element,        or means for comparing said 3^(rd) item of encrypted random        information and a 4^(th) item of encrypted random information        received from an external circuit, for example from said        element; the 4^(th) item of encrypted random information can        result from encrypting of the 2^(nd) item of random information        using a 2^(nd) secret key and a 2^(nd) encryption algorithm;    -   optionally: means for authenticating, or not, a consumable        element as a function of the result of the comparison between        the 1^(st) item of encrypted random information and the 2^(nd)        item of encrypted random information and, optionally, between        the 3^(rd) item of encrypted random information and the 4^(th)        item of encrypted random information.

In general, preferably, in a method or in a device (controller orcircuit or card or data medium) or in a consumable or detachable elementaccording to the invention, each authentication (the 1^(st) and 2^(nd)in the example above) is performed by the component which triggered it(or which dispatched the item of random information—not yet encrypted—toanother component; therefore, respectively, by the printer and by theconsumable in the examples above); in the case of 2 authentications, theuse of a consumable will only be possible if the 2 authentications arevalid. In other words, in the first case of a printer and a consumable(or detachable) element and when a double authentication is implemented,it is preferably the printer which authenticates the consumable and theconsumable which authenticates the printer.

The controller or the device or the data medium, may also comprise meansfor receiving, from an external circuit, for example from a consumableelement, at least one item of encrypted data and means for decipheringsaid item of data using an encryption algorithm, and a key, termed theshared key. Examples of such data have already been given above.

A controller or device or data medium according to the invention mayfurther comprise RFID means or means for data exchanged by contact, inorder to exchange data with a circuit, for example of a consumable ordetachable element of the printer and/or with a data medium, itselfprovided with RFID means or means for exchanging data by contact.According to a particular embodiment, the 2^(nd) key can vary over time,and/or comprise means for varying same, or varying the contents of sameover time.

As already previously mentioned, such a controller or device or datamedium can further comprise means for:

-   -   storing at least one item of data, or a list of data, concerning        at least one consumable or detachable element (for example a        2^(nd) consumable or detachable element, different from the        1^(st)) or at least one spare part that the printer can use        and/or at least one software that the printer can use, and/or at        least one method of use that the printer can implement;    -   and, optionally, for:    -   comparing at least one item of identification data of a        consumable and/or a spare part and/or a software comprising said        item of data or said list;    -   and/or comparing at least one method of use, with said at least        one item of stored data concerning at least one method of use        that the printer can implement;    -   and/or authorising, or not, the use of this consumable or this        spare part or this software or this method of use, as a function        of the result of the preceding comparison.

Such a controller or control device of a continuous inkjet printer (CIJ)can enable authentication of a consumable or detachable element of acontinuous inkjet printer (CIJ), and comprises:

-   -   means for authenticating, according to a method that has already        been described above, a data medium (the consumable of the        authentication method above therefore is, or is replaced by, a        data medium);    -   means for receiving, from said data medium, said at least one        item of data concerning at least one consumable (other than the        data medium) or at least one spare part that the printer can        use, and/or at least one software that the printer can use        and/or at least one method of use that the printer can        implement.

The invention also relates to a consumable or detachable element of acontinuous inkjet printer (CIJ), comprising means for implementing amethod such as already described above. Said means enable at least:

-   -   generating of an item of random information, and despatching of        same to an external circuit, for example a controller of a        printer, or receiving of an item of random information, for        example from the controller of a printer;    -   encrypting this item of random information, using a 1^(st)        encryption algorithm and a 1^(st) secret key, thereby forming an        item of encrypted random information;    -   comparing this item of encrypted random information with another        item of encrypted random information received, for example, from        a controller of a printer.

The invention also relates to a consumable or detachable element for acontinuous inkjet printer (CIJ), comprising:

-   -   means for generating an item of random information and means for        despatching same to an external circuit, for example a        controller of a printer, or means for receiving an item of        random information, for example from the controller of a        printer;    -   means for encrypting this item of random information using a        1^(st) encryption algorithm and a 1^(st) secret key, thereby        forming an item of encrypted random information;    -   means for comparing this item of encrypted random information        with another item of encrypted random information received, for        example, from a controller of a printer.

A consumable or detachable element for a continuous inkjet printer(CIJ), can further comprise:

-   -   means for receiving at least one 2^(nd) item of random        information, for example from said printer;    -   means for encrypting this 2^(nd) item of random information,        using said 1^(st) encryption algorithm and said 1^(st) secret        key, thereby forming a 3^(rd) item of encrypted random        information;    -   means for despatching said 3^(rd) item of encrypted random        information to a circuit, for example to the printer, or means        for comparing said 3^(rd) item of encrypted random information        with a 4^(th) item of encrypted random information received for        example from the printer; said 4^(th) item of encrypted random        information can be obtained by encrypting the 2^(nd) item of        random information using a 2^(nd) encryption algorithm and a        2^(nd) secret key stored in the printer;    -   and optionally; means for authenticating, or not, the printer as        a function of the result of the comparison between the 1^(st)        item of encrypted random information and the 2^(nd) item of        encrypted random information and, optionally, between the 3^(rd)        item of encrypted random information and the 4^(th) item of        encrypted random information.

A consumable or detachable element according to the invention canfurther comprise means for despatching at least one item of data to theprinter, encrypted using an encryption algorithm and a key, termed theshared key.

Whatever the embodiment of this consumable or detachable element, itsmeans can optionally allow granting of the authorisation for use, ornot, of the consumable or detachable element and/or of the printer. Inthe absence of authentication, no data can be exchanged between theconsumable element and the controller. Such an element can comprisemeans for storing a 2^(nd) key, termed the shared key, and a 2^(nd)encryption algorithm, which can vary over time. Such an element cancomprise means for despatching a key, termed the shared key, and/or analgorithm, termed the encrypting and deciphering algorithm, for exampleto a controller of a printer, or for receiving such a key, for examplefrom such a controller. Such an element can comprise RFID means or meansfor exchanging data by contact, in order to exchange data, for examplewith a controller of a printer that is itself provided with RFID meansfor means for exchanging data by contact.

The invention also relates to a continuous inkjet printer, comprising:

-   -   an ink circuit,    -   a printing head,    -   means for hydraulic connection between the ink circuit and the        printing head,    -   means for electrical connection for supplying electrical power        to said printing head,    -   means for implementing a method according to the invention, for        example a method for authenticating a consumable or detachable        element, such as described above.

Such means enabling:

-   -   generating of 1^(st) item of random information, and dispatch of        same, for example to an authentication circuit of a 1^(st)        consumable element;    -   encrypting this 1^(st) item of random information using a 2^(nd)        encryption algorithm and a 2^(nd) secret key, thereby forming a        2^(nd) item of encrypted random information;    -   receiving a 1^(st) item of encrypted random information, for        example from a 1^(st) consumable element (this 1^(st) item of        encrypted random information may have been obtained by        encrypting the 1^(st) item of random information using a 1^(st)        encryption algorithm and a 1^(st) secret key);    -   comparing said received 1^(st) item of encrypted random        information and the 2^(nd) item of encrypted random information.

Said means can thus authenticate, or not, the 1^(st) consumable element.

The invention also relates to a continuous inkjet printer, comprising:

-   -   an ink circuit,    -   a printing head,    -   means for hydraulic connection between the ink circuit and the        printing head,    -   means for electrical connection for supplying electrical power        to said printing head,    -   a device according to the invention, for example a device for        authenticating a consumable or detachable element, and/a data        medium, such as described above.

A continuous inkjet printer according to the invention may furthercomprise at least one consumable or detachable element according to theinvention, such as described above and below. It may further be providedwith a data medium such as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 represents a known structure of a printer.

FIG. 2 represents a known structure of a printing head of a CIJ printer.

FIG. 3 schematically represents a printer and an ink cartridge, providedwith a tag, according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 represents production details of a controller and a tag of andink cartridge, according to the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B represent steps of an authentication method according toone aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B represents the uses of a tag according to one aspect ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 represent steps for producing a tag according to one aspect ofthe invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B represent embodiments of another aspect of theinvention, with individual identification card of the printer.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF AN EMBODIMENT

FIG. 3 represents, highly schematically, the body 3 of a printer and aconsumable 20, for example a spare part or an ink or solvent cartridge.The term “consumable element” refers to an element intended to berenewable due to reduction of its contents or due to its consumption,for the performance of a function of the printer. This can also be anelement for which authorisation for use is given in a time-limitedmanner, for example a software or a software function.

The term “detachable element” refers to an element which must betemporarily connected in order to implement a function of the printer.

In the following, the example of the ink cartridge will frequently becited: it can be connected to the printer in order to supply the printerwith ink. The cartridge is both consumable and detachable. However, theinvention also applies to a spare part, for example a filter or a pumpor a solenoid valve, or any other module or subassembly of the printer,for example a removable module such as described in applicationPCT/EP2014/056215. Each of these elements has a limited service life, atthe end of which it must be replaced for the proper operation of theprinter. Another example, described below, is that of an authenticationcard.

The machine, in fact the controller thereof, is equipped withcommunication means 30, for example RFID communication means, whichenable dialogue with said consumable. In addition, the controller isprogrammed to implement the steps described below.

The consumable 20 is equipped with a circuit 200 (hereinafter referredto as a “tag”) which allows it to implement the steps described below.This circuit can be realised in the form of a processor, amicroprocessor or an FPGA, for example. This circuit can be programmedto implement a method according to the invention. Communication meansare also provided, for example RFID communication means, which enabledialogue with the controller. As a variant, the communication betweenthe body 3 of the printer and the consumable 20 can be communication bycontact.

In this case, contacts are provided on each of the circuits to ensurethe transmission of data between the two circuits.

In the 2 cases, RFID communication and contact communication, an eventwill trigger a 1^(st) dialogue step, which involves an authentication ora data exchange. This is the case when it is necessary to use theconsumable or detachable element, for example:

-   -   during the control at printer start-up, the printer detects the        presence of the consumable or detachable element, this detection        forming the event above;    -   or during connection of the consumable or detachable element,        causing a detection by the controller which then triggers a        method according to the invention;    -   or when the need for the element arises, for example when a low        level of ink is detected in the main reservoir, requiring it to        be supplied by the ink cartridge.

The circuit 201 is for example installed against a wall of theconsumable, in such a way as to facilitate the dialogue (or dataexchange) with the controller.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of this architecture in a slightly moredetailed manner, in the version of same with RFID communication means.

Reference sign 31 designates a controller circuit 3, realised, forexample, in the form of a microprocessor or an FPGA, programmed to carryout certain functions or method steps. For example, this circuit 31 isprovided with means 32 for generating one or more items of information,for example random numbers. This circuit can be equipped with memorymeans 37 for storing data, and in particular data for implementing amethod according to the invention, for example data relating to a sharedkey 40 and/or a secret key 41. As explained below, the controller maynot comprise:

-   -   a shared key, only being supplied with the shared key during        realisation of an event such as the start of an interaction        session with the tag;    -   or a secret key, no authentication process of the type described        below being implemented.

A shared key can be exchanged, at least in part, between the consumableand the controller, in general after authentication as explained below.

In the course of a method according to the invention, a secret key isnot exchanged between the consumable and the controller.

In the present application, an algorithm implements a key. Eachalgorithm is defined by a set of instructions, stored in thecorresponding circuit 31, 210, which code the steps of the algorithm.

This circuit 31 will supply, to the means 30, data to transmit to theconsumable (in fact: to the circuit—described below—associated with theconsumable), and/or receives, via the means 30, data transmitted by thesame consumable (in fact: by the circuit—described below—associated withthe consumable).

On the consumable side, reference sign 200 designates the RFID interfaceof the tag 21.

Reference sign 210 designates a circuit of the tag, realised for examplein the form of a microprocessor or an FPGA, which is programmed toperform certain functions or method steps according to the invention.For example, this circuit 210 is equipped with means, globallydesignated by reference sign 215, comprising means 213 for generatingone or more items of information, for example random numbers, means 212implementing an authentication method and encryption means 211. Thiscircuit can be equipped with memory means 214 for storing data, and inparticular data for implementing a method according to the invention,for example data relating to a shared key 40 and/or a secret key 41.

This circuit 210 will supply, to the means 200, data to be transmittedto the controller 3, or to be implemented by the controller (for examplein order that it can read same) and/or receives, via the means 200, datatransmitted by the circuit 31 and the controller means 30.

Reference sign 35 symbolises the data exchanges between the controllerand tag of the consumable. As indicated above, it involves in this casean example with an exchange of data by RFID mode.

According to one particularly interesting embodiment, the shared key 40,which is a different key from the secret key 41 (it can for example bemore easily decoded than the secret key) serves mainly, or evenexclusively, for encrypting information stored in the memory. The secretkey 41 serves mainly, or even exclusively, for authentication of theconsumable by the controller or for reciprocated authentication of theconsumable and of the controller. The risk of “piracy” is limited, i.e.the risk of non-authorised use of data contained in the tag and,consequently, of the associated consumable.

The shared key can be, for example:

-   -   determined or chosen, by the manufacturer of the controller, for        example during manufacture thereof; optionally it varies over        time, for example periodically, the controller can then have the        list of keys or the algorithm allowing the shared key that is to        be used to be recovered at the desired time;    -   or be supplied by the tag to the controller, only when the        authentication has been validated.

An example of a method that is able to be implemented by this systemwill be described, with reference to FIG. 5A. It involves an algorithm,or a method of authentication before the exchange of data between tagand controller. As explained above, some methods according to theinvention do not allow the prior implementation of this authentication.According to this example, both the controller of the printer and thetag of the consumable, store and implement a secret key 41 and a sharedkey 40; an encryption algorithm implements the secret key, the datarelating to this algorithm being stored both in the controller and inthe tag.

On realisation of an event, for example one of those mentioned above,the controller generates a 1^(st) random number (more generally, an itemof information) A (step 101) which it dispatches (step 102) to the tagof the cartridge; the tag encrypts the number (step 103) using itsencryption algorithm and the secret key 41 and re-dispatches (step 104)this encrypted number C(A) to the printer.

The controller 3 performs the same operation: it encrypts this samenumber (step 106) using its encryption algorithm and the secret key 41,thereby forming C′(A).

The circuit of the controller 3 compares (step 107) the result C′(A)obtained by the internal calculation of same with that C(A) sent by thetag.

If C′(A)=C(A) (or, more generally, if a relationship between C(A) andC′(A) is satisfied, allowing their agreement or correspondence to bedetermined), then the tag—and the associated consumable—is authentic andthe data, for example confidential data contained in the tag, can beexchanged between this tag and the controller. These data can bequalified from technical use data (they may concern technical aspects ortechnical functions of the machine and/or technical aspects of thefunctioning of the machine). If not, the tag, and the consumable withwhich it is associated, is recognised as being non-authentic, and saiddata cannot be exchanged between this tag and the controller.

More generally, during the installation of the spare part or beforesampling a consumable (for example a fluid such as the ink or solvent)in a cartridge or a bottle, an authentication can be carried out in themanner that will now be described.

During the implementation of this authentication method, the shared key40 does not play a role, and only the secret key is used; this secretkey enables authorisation of the transmission of information from the“tag” to the controller, and vice versa. Indeed, at this stage, data(other than those relating to the authentication phase) are not yetbeing exchanged. It is therefore possible to not supply the shared key,to one or other of the 2 elements (consumable, controller), until aftersuccessful authentication.

For example, the shared key is dispatched by the tag 20 to thecontroller 3 after validated or successful authentication. This ishighly advantageous in embodiments in which the shared key is modified:there is then no need to reprogram the elements (tag, controller) whichimplement it. More specifically, a consumable will itself supply the(shared) key to the printer, which will enable decoding of the exchangeddata. If this key has changed or has been modified (for example due totechnical developments or algorithmic modifications), there is no needto act on the printer, which recovers the new shared key during its1^(st) interaction (after authentication) with the new consumable whichitself has the modified shared key. In addition, no means forsynchronisation of the keys is implemented.

In order to better protect the data of the tag, the authentication canbe mutual and the tag can in its turn generate a random number which issubmitted to the printer, in accordance with the method of FIG. 5B:

-   -   the tag generates a random number (more generally, an item of        information) A (step 101′) which it dispatches (step 102′) to        the controller; the controller encrypts the number (step 103′)        using its encryption algorithm and the secret key 41 and        re-dispatches (step 104) this encrypted number C(A) to the tag;    -   the controller performs the same operation: it encrypts this        same number (step 106′) using its encryption algorithm and the        secret key 41, thereby forming C′(A);    -   the tag compares (step 107′) the result C′(A) obtained by the        internal calculation of same with that C(A) sent by the        controller.

If C′(A)=C(A) (or, more generally, if a relationship between C(A) andC′(A) is satisfied, allowing their agreement or correspondence to bedetermined), then the tag can exchange data with the controller. If not,the latter is recognised as not authentic, or more generally as notauthorised to exchange data with the controller. It is optionallypossible to proceed in the inverse order: the method described abovewith reference to FIG. 5B is preformed first, followed by the methoddescribed above with reference to FIG. 5A.

In general, in the case of a mutual authentication, the twoauthentications will be preferably validated (respectively by thecontroller or by the consumable) in order to conclude with a possibleexchange of data between the consumable and the printer and to authorisesuch an exchange, and subsequent use of the consumable.

In order to diversify the secret key 41, the latter can be diversified,for example using an algorithm. For example, it is combined with an itemof identification information, which may be a number such as a serialnumber or a UID (unique identification number) 33 of the controllerand/or 216 of the tag (FIG. 4), and/or date according to an algorithm.

In a variation, the secret key 41 is present in the tag and thecontroller is then modified using an algorithm, by using for exampleanother number (available in the tag and/or the printer), for examplebefore coding (step 103, 103′).

This diversification, which can be applied to the shared key, makes thesystem more robust because, due to this fact, the key concerned is onlyvalid for said tag, said printer or said tag/printer combination.

On the occurrence (before, during or after) of this diversificationstep, the tag can be made to supply the controller with the data usedfor the diversification.

The following can be a variant of the authentication method describedabove.

The consumable communicates a password to the controller; the controllercompares this password with a password that it contains (and which issaved in the memory means of the controller) and, as a function of theresult of the comparison, the use of the consumable is authorised ornot. The same can apply to a software.

Once the authentication has been successfully completed, data can beexchanged or transferred between the tag and the controller, for examplemade available to the controller by the tag. In general this exchange iscarried out at the initiative of the controller, the tag makingavailable to the controller, on request therefrom, data which itdispatches or which it allows the controller to read.

However, according to a yet more powerful method in terms of security,once the authentication has been successfully completed, the tagsupplies the shared key 40 to the controller (respectively to the tag).In a variant:

-   -   the controller supplies the shared key to the tag;    -   the controller and the tag each supply a part of the shared key,        respectively to the tag and to the controller.

After authentication, it is possible to carry out not only dataexchange, which allows successful completion of the authentication, butalso, and before data exchange, communication of at least one part ofthe shared key 40 which will enable decoding of this exchanged data.This could be the case, for example, when a “session” (period—which canbe very short, for example on the order of several minutes—during whicha tag and a controller are set in uninterrupted connection), thecontroller only receiving the shared key for the session in question.The start of the session is for example the end of the authenticationprocess, the end of a session is for example any other event after thestart, for example a power outage. To strengthen security still further,this key can have only been created, for example by a random process, atthe time of the start of this session, or, more generally, at the startof a determined period, during the realisation of an event or of adetermined event, for example one of those mentioned above. Such atemporary key can optionally have, with respect to a permanent sharedkey, a reduced length or size: the size of the memory for storing thetemporary key is reduced, and the calculation time of any operationutilising the temporary key is also reduced.

According to one embodiment, the shared key 40 can vary over time. Inthis case, means 31 and/or 210 contain means, a software and/or acircuit programmed according to an algorithm, to make this key 40 changeover time.

As previously, the secret key preferably remains dedicated toauthentication.

The example is also given above of a shared key created at the time ofthe realisation of an event (at the start of a session or at the time ofanother determined event).

The method described above can guarantee the authentic aspect of theconsumable and/or of a spare part and the inviolability of data storedin this tag.

The algorithm or method disclosed above can be implemented by theprinter, using the controller thereof, programmed for this purpose, andby the tag also programmed for this purpose.

Two different examples of use will be given, with reference to FIGS. 6Aand 6B.

In the two cases, a tag 200 according to the invention, of the typeillustrated in FIG. 4, is used and provided with a secret key 41 and ashared key 40. The tag also contains the data 50 that is intended to beexchanged with the controller.

The controller of the printer of FIG. 6A only possesses the shared key40, installed in the controller before any contact with a tag 200 (theshared key can nevertheless, in this case also, change over time). Noauthentication method can therefore be implemented and the data 50 areexchanged between the tag 200 and the controller without authentication,even though the tag possesses the secret key and the shared key.

According to another utilisation, the controller of the printer of FIG.6B possesses the secret key 41. It can therefore first implement anauthentication method, then the data 50 are exchanged between the tag200 and the controller 3 after validation of the authentication. Asexplained above, the shared key 40 can be supplied to the controllerafter authentication and/or be able to vary over time.

Consequently, a tag according to the invention is compatible with asimple controller (case shown in FIG. 6A) provided with a shared key butnot a secret key, or with a more evolved controller (case shown in FIG.6B), provided with a secret key and optionally with the shared key.

In general, the fact of possessing, in the tag, a shared key 40 and asecret key 41 enables:

-   -   encrypting of the data 49 to be inserted in the tag in the form        of encrypted data 50, using the algorithm of the shared key 40;    -   and/or encrypting of the shared key 40 using the algorithm of        the secret key 41, in particular if the memory area containing        the shared key is accessible to the reader.

An example of a method for preparing or manufacturing a tag 200 isillustrated in FIG. 7, wherein:

-   -   data 49, to be stored in the tag, are encrypted using the shared        key 40 (not yet encrypted by the secret key, see below);        reference sign 50 designates the data that is encrypted and        stored in the tag;    -   the shared key 40 is encrypted using the algorithm of the secret        key 41, in order to form the shared key 40′ stored in the tag        200. The tag can therefore contain encrypted data 50, the secret        key 41 and the shared key 40, the latter being optionally        encrypted by the secret key (and then being stored in the form        40′).

Such a method can be carried out by the manufacturer of the printerand/or of consumables.

An example of manufacture or preparation of a consumable elementaccording to the invention and of a printer according to the inventioncan be the following:

1. Preparation of the consumable:

In the tag, are stored:

-   -   the 1^(st) authentication algorithm and the 1^(st)        authentication key;    -   and the 2^(nd) algorithm and the 2^(nd) key, termed the shared        key, optionally variable and/or optionally encrypted using the        1^(st) key;    -   the encrypted data (encrypted by the shared key).

2. Preparation of the printer:

In the printer (or its controller) are stored:

-   -   the 1^(st) authentication algorithm and the 1^(st)        authentication key;    -   and the 2^(nd) algorithm and the 2^(nd) key, termed the shared        key, optionally variable and/or optionally encrypted using the        1^(st) key (case shown in FIG. 7).

After the manufacturing or preparation steps, an authentication processcan be completed, as already explained above.

During a process of data exchange between printer (controller) and tag200, the data can be dispatched from the printer (or from thecontroller), to the tag, said data having been encrypted using theshared key. Data dispatched by the tag to the controller are read(deciphered) by the controller, also using the shared key. The sharedkey is also used in the tag for despatching data to the controller orfor reading or writing the data dispatched by the controller.

Examples are given below concerning the nature of the data 49 (or usedata) stored in the tag and which can be dispatched to the controller.

According to another embodiment, shown schematically in FIGS. 8A and 8B,the algorithm or the methods disclosed above can be implemented by themachine, using an authentication card 300, 300′ associated with same.Here “card” shall mean any type of data medium (USB memory, ROM, RAM,flash memory, optical medium such as a CD, or magnetic medium, etc.).This card 300, 300′ is a consumable or detachable element according tothe meaning given above. However, it is different from anotherconsumable or detachable element, such as a cartridge or a spare part ora software, for which it will allow authentication.

This card contains or comprises communication means, for example RFIDcommunication means, which allow dialogue with the controller. As avariant, the communication between the body 3 of the printer and thecard can be communication by contact.

This card will itself be subject to an authentication process such asthat described above. It can therefore contain the data which will allowsuch an authentication method to the performed; for example, itcomprises a circuit, such as circuit 200 which has been described above,which will contain the data which will enable such an authenticationmethod to be performed.

It may for example contain at least a part of the information or datawhich will be transmitted to the controller, or exchanged therewith, forexample on request of the controller, and allow the controller toimplement the steps described above.

As described above, the machine (or the printer) is then equipped withcommunication means, for example RFID communication means, or means forcommunication by contact, which enable dialogue with elements such asthe consumables. However, according to one embodiment, the card 300,300′ contains encryption information which allows implementing of thesteps described above. This card generates, for example, random numbersfor encryption, which are transmitted to the controller, which transmitsthem to the tag of the consumable 20. The tag carries out the encryptionoperations and re-dispatches (step 104) the encrypted information to thecontroller, which transmits it to the card 300, 300′. The card hasperformed its own encryption (step 106) and possesses means which allowit to carry out the comparison step (step 107). It then delivers to thecontroller, or not, an authorisation for use of the consumable 20.

In a variation, the exchanges are made uniquely or mainly with thecontroller, which itself performs the comparisons between the data ofthe card 300, 300′, on the one hand, and the data of the consumableelement 20, on the other hand. The controller then validates the use ofthe consumable element if, firstly, it has authenticated this element(according to the authentication process as described above) and,secondly, after authentication of the card 300, 300′ according to anauthentication method such as described above for the consumableelements, it has obtained the authorisation for using the consumable bythe data exchanges with the card. The order of the steps can thereforebe:

a) authentication of the card 300, 300′, according to one of the methodsdescribed above;

b) authentication of the consumable 20, according to one of the methodsdescribed above;

c) reading, by the controller, of at least one item of data from thecard, concerning the possible use of the consumable 20 or of the sparepart.

According to yet another example, the card 300, 300′ contains data whichwill enable, after authentication of the card, authorising, or not, ofthe use of a software or a software function or a function of theprinting machine.

According to another example, the card 300, 300′ contains:

-   -   both data which will enable authorising, or not, of the use of a        consumable 20 or of a spare part;    -   and, data which will enable authorising, or not, of the use of a        software or a software function or a function of the printing        machine (for example: rights of use of the printer).

The card 300, 300′ can advantageously contain a set of technical datawhich are only valid for a given printer. For a printer that is alreadyinstalled, this avoids creating a new program, or a new configuration,after the technical data relating to the printer in question have beenmodified. According to another example, this makes it possible to createa set of data for a new customer who purchases a printer: it is not theprinter which is directly configured, but rather the card 300, 300′.

FIG. 8A shows the case of a card 300 intended to be read by contact bythe printer 3, the card is then inserted in a slot 301 of the body ofthe printer, in order to come into contact with a reader circuit.

FIG. 8B represents a case of a card 300′ intended to be read by RFID bythe printer 3, which possesses an RFID reader 301 dedicated to thereading of the card 300′.

In the two cases, the data transmitted from the card to the printer canbe of the type described below.

The consumable 20 (FIG. 8B) is, in the two cases, still equipped withthe tag 21, which enables it to implement the steps described above, andwith communication means, for example RFID communication means, whichenable dialogue with the controller.

The card 300, 300′ is a detachable element of the printer, which permitsauthorisation at two times, the card is serving, on the one hand, as anintermediary for authorising the use of a consumable (after having beenitself authenticated), the latter being, on the other hand,authenticated according to one of the methods already described above.

In a variant, the card 300,300′, after authentication by the controller,can authorise a consumable or detachable element which does not possessauthentication means. The authorisation, by the controller, thenproceeds either by an identification of technical data available on theconsumable element, for example in a tag or a memory present thereon, orby data entered in the printer by the user, for example by reading anidentification label available on the element or an item of datasupplied therewith (in the packaging, in documentation attached to theelement, etc.).

The order of the steps can therefore be, for example:

a) authentication of the card 300, 300′, according to one of the methodsdescribed above;

b) reading, by the controller, of at least one item of data from thecard 300, 300′ (or supplied by same) concerning the possible use of theconsumable 20 or of the spare part.

A particular use of the card 300, 300′ solves the problem of a user whowishes, for example, to use spare parts or consumables (inks) from athird-party manufacturer (for example the case of an ink having veryspecific properties) and/or from a distribution network for which theprotection policy of the consumables must be adapted.

In order to do this, the card 300, 300′ can be configured machine bymachine.

In general, this card, or a tag such as previously described, cancontain at least one item of data, or an item of technical data of use,relating to the configuration of the printer and the expected behaviourthereof, and/or at least one item of information to be securely saved.

These technical data of use may contain, for example, at least one itemof data or information concerning:

a)—at least one list of consumables that the printer can use;

b)—and/or the possible use, or not, of at least one consumable and/or ofat least one spare part from a third-party manufacturer;

c)—and/or the authorisation for use, or not, of at least one consumableand/or of at least one recognised spare part;

d)—and/or at least one possible use of at least one software enabled inthe controller of the printer;

e)—and/or equipment options or one or more peripherals used on theprinter, for example a type of ink circuit and/or head;

f)—and/or use rights of the printer: this is the case, for example, fora “pay-per-print” option, according to which a user will see his/herinvoice calculated as a function of the number of prints made. In thiscase, the card contains an item of information relating to a maximumnumber of authorised prints and the controller will, after each print,incrementally reduce this maximum number in the card;

g)—and/or, more generally, one or more items of data specific to theoperation of the printer. Such data can be, for example:

-   -   data on the charge sequence of drops by the charging electrodes        of the printing head of the printer, for example as a function        of the different printing conditions, in particular the printing        speed, or as a function of diverse printing configurations;    -   and/or technical data relating to the printing of a given        message;    -   and/or data relating to the use of a particular printing font,        and/or, more generally, relating to authorisation for access to        certain functions of the printer.

These data can be read by the controller of the printer. As a functionof the data read, the controller allows, or not, the envisaged use.

For example, the information concerning at least one list of consumablesthat the machine can use makes it possible to guarantee to the user thatonly a consumable compatible with his printer will be able to be used:if a consumable which is not part of the list in question is used, oneor more functions of the machine can be blocked. This is an advantagefor the user, who will thus avoid using an ink, or a printing head, thequality of which is insufficient for or incompatible with the printerused.

The information concerning authorisation of the use of at least oneconsumable and/or of at least one spare part from a third-partymanufacturer, enables the use, or prohibition of the use, of saidconsumable or spare part, although this spare part or this consumable isnot equipped with a tag or is equipped with another tag, for anotherprinter, or is equipped with a tag uniquely for authorising anotherspecific application. In the case where it is not equipped with a tag, amanual action of the operator can enable the use of the consumable orthe part in question.

The information concerning authorisation of use, or not, of at least oneunrecognised consumable and/or of at least one unrecognised spare part,allows use or prohibition of the use, of at least one spare part, or ofat least one consumable, although this spare part or this consumable isnot known by the manufacturer of the machine.

The information concerning at least a possibility of use of at least onespecific software (or one software function), in the controller of theprinter, enables the use, or the prohibition of the use, of thissoftware or of this software function: for example, during manufacture,the controller of a printer is equipped with a first software L1 and asecond software L2, different from L1 by at least the writing or one ofthe functions thereof. The specific tag only authorises the use of thefirst software L1. It will therefore not be possible to use the secondsoftware L2.

An example of authorisation of use of software or a software functioncorresponds to the use of functions enabling specific printings. Suchspecific printings may be anti-counterfeiting printings, for which thelimiting of one or more software functions makes it possible to avoidcopying of an anti-counterfeiting marking. This type of application canbe implemented using a card such as 300, 300′ which contains informationrelating to the authorisation of use of one or more pieces of software.

The information concerning one or more rights of use of the printer willallow the operation of the printer to be adapted and, in particular,allow storage of data as a function of the rights of the user. Forexample, for a “pay-per-print” option, the controller 20 will store thenumber of prints made.

An example of this type of right concerns the franking of envelopes, forwhich the user pays as a function of the number of prints made. A card,such as card 300, 300′ can authorise a printer to perform the number ofprints stored on the card.

Another application example is the following: the printer is coupled toa proof-reading system; this system comprises for example an imagingdevice for capturing at least one image of at least one part of apattern printed by the printer, coupled with means for comparing saidimage with a reference image, which can for example be stored, or withreference data, which can for example be stored. Hence it is possible toverify the quality of a print. Such an application can be authorised atthe time of manufacture of the printer or be authorised later at thesite of the customer using a card 300.

Such software or software functions can already be present in theprinter and authorised by a card 300, 300′ after authentication of saidcard; or be stored in the card and sent to the printer afterauthentication.

In the case of an identification card 300, 300′, this card may changeover time; for example an identification card can be updated, or indeeda new identification card can be sent to the identification card holder,in order to update one or more items of data of the type mentionedabove.

This identification card is generated, for example, by the manufacturerof the machine (see FIG. 7) and/or during a development of theconfiguration of the printer. In order to guarantee that theidentification card is only usable on one given printer, during theinitial installation in the printer, an association is produced betweenthe card and the equipment of the printer by saving the identifier inthe card corresponding to this particular machine. Once recorded, thesedata cannot be modified and the card is reserved for use on thisparticular machine.

This solution offers the possibility of easy and secure configuring ofthe functions of the printer, at the end of the production line, or evendirectly at the site of a user. In other words, it is possible tomanufacture a unique machine and vary the use thereof by a user as afunction of the data on the card 300, 300′.

The solution that has just been described above for a card is equallyapplicable to a consumable element, for example a cartridge or a sparepart, the “tag” or circuit 200 thereof containing at least one item ofinformation of one of types a) to g) listed above, for example relatingto at least one other consumable, for example a cartridge or a sparepart, that the machine can use.

An ink circuit of an inkjet printer, with the optional ink and solventcartridges thereof, is described for example in document FR 13 52925(W02014/154830) or WO2009/047510.

Remember that the ink circuit mainly performs the following functions:

-   -   supply of ink of adequate quality under pressure to the drop        generator of the head 1;    -   recovery and recycling of the fluids not used for printing on        returning from the gutter of the head 1;    -   suction for purging of the drop generator situated in the head        1;    -   supply of solvent to the head 1, for rinsing carried out during        head maintenance operations.

One and/or the other of the cartridges of this circuit can be equippedwith a tag according to the present invention. A controller of theprinter may be of the type described above.

The invention can be implemented in a continuous inkjet printer (CIJ)such as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. This comprisesin particular a printing head 1, generally remote from the body of theprinter 3, and connected to the printer by means, for example in theform of a flexible umbilical cord 2, containing the hydraulic andelectrical connections enabling operation of the head.

The invention can advantageously be applied to a printer which is notconnected to a communication network such as the Internet.

1. A data medium for a continuous inkjet printer (CIJ), said data mediumbeing physically separated from said CIJ printer and comprising: aninterface to exchange data with said printer; a memory storing at leastone item of data concerning at least one consumable or detachableelement or at least one spare part that the printer can use, and/or atleast one software that the printer can use, and/or at least one methodof use or function that the printer can implement and/or rights of useof said continuous inkjet printer and/or equipment options or one ormore peripherals used on the printer and/or one or more items of dataspecific to the operation of the printer.
 2. A data medium according toclaim 1, wherein said consumable or detachable element or spare part isan ink or solvent cartridge or a filter or a pump or a solenoid valve,or a removable module, or a removable module of the ink circuit of saidprinter or of a printing head of said printer.
 3. A data mediumaccording to claim 1, configured to implement an authentication processbefore exchanging data with said printer.
 4. A data medium according toclaim 3, said authentication process authenticating at least one of:said data medium and/or said printer; at least one consumable ordetachable element or at least one spare part, and/or at least onesoftware, and/or at least one method of use or function of said printerand/or of rights of use of said continuous inkjet printer and/or ofequipment options or of one or more peripherals and/or of an operationof the printer.
 5. A data medium according to claim 1, comprising acard.
 6. A data medium according to claim 1, said memory storing amaximum number of authorised prints.
 7. A data medium according to claim1, said memory storing: data on a charge sequence to be applied to dropsby charging electrodes of said CIJ printer; and/or technical datarelating to the printing of a given message; and/or data relating to theuse of a particular printing font.
 8. A data medium according to claim7, said data on a charge sequence to be applied to drops by chargingelectrodes of said CIJ printer being a function of the printing speed.9. A data medium according to claim 1, said data on a charge sequence tobe applied to drops by charging electrodes of said CIJ printer being afunction of the printing speed or of at least one printingconfiguration.
 10. A data medium according to claim 1, said datacomprising data concerning at least one specific printing.
 11. A datamedium according to claim 11, said at least one specific printingcomprising at least one anti-counterfeiting printing.
 12. A data mediumaccording to claim 1, said data comprising data concerning theimplementation at least one of a proof-reading system and of a printquality checking system.
 13. A data medium according to claim 12, saidat least one of a proof-reading system and of a print quality checkingsystem comprising an imaging device capturing at least one image of atleast one part of a pattern printed by said CIJ printer, coupled acomparator to compare said image with a reference image or withreference data.
 14. A data medium according to claim 1, said at leastone item of data comprising data about one or more ink circuit and/orprinting head to be used on the printer.
 15. A data medium according toclaim 1, said at least one item of data being variable over time.
 16. Adata medium according to claim 1, said medium comprising an identifiercorresponding to said particular CIJ printer.
 17. A data mediumaccording to claim 1, said at least one item of data being encrypted.18. A data medium according to claim 1, said interface being an RFIDinterface or an interface to exchange data by contact with said printer.19. A continuous inkjet printer (CIJ) comprising: an ink circuit, aprinting head, hydraulic connection between the ink circuit and theprinting head, an electrical connection for supplying electrical powerto said printing head, a controller and a data medium according toclaim
 1. 20. A continuous inkjet printer (CIJ) according to claim 18,said controller performing a comparison between: said at least one itemof data concerning at least one consumable or detachable element or atleast one spare part that the printer can use, and/or at least onesoftware that the printer can use, and/or at least one method of use orfunction that the printer can implement and/or rights of use of saidcontinuous inkjet printer and/or equipment options or one or moreperipherals used on the printer and/or one or more items of dataspecific to the operation of the printer, and: at least one item of dataconcerning at least one consumable or detachable element or at least onespare part, and/or at least one software, and/or at least one method ofuse or function of the printer and/or a use of said continuous inkjetprinter and/or at least one equipment option or one or more peripheralsand/or one or more items of data specific to an operation, and, based onsaid comparison, authorising, or not, the use of said at least oneconsumable or detachable element or of said at least one spare part,and/or of said at least one software, and/or of said at least one methodof use or function of said printer and/or of said equipment options orof said one or more peripherals and/or of said operation.